THE WATER FRONT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 February 1921, Page 3

THE WATER FRONT

I BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION, 1 POSITION AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN, February 23. I 270 men are idle on the waterfront to-day. i The Sealda is the only boat working I It is stated the majority of the watcrsideirs aro against the Federation in its present tactics. OFFER TO LOAD FRUIT. I SEVENTEEN VESSELS IDLE. ! WELLINGTON, Feb. 23. There arc no fresh developments on the waterfront, except that the employers have announced their willingness to engage fresh labour for the purpose of loading a consignment of Nelson apples on to the Horn rata. This is the result of an appeal from the Motueka ‘“Diggers.” Mr Roberts, Secretary of the Waterside Workers Federation, sent the following telegram to (he R.S.A. at Nel-son:-—"The watersiders are not letting the “Diggers” down. We are prepared to discharge your fruit from the Nelson boat, and to loud it on to the Hororata, or any other vessel. The employers have refused to engage watersiders to handle your produce. We guarantee the men will load your fruit if the employers will o ngage them. Forward this to the Motueka '‘Diggers”.” The steamers Somerset and Durham have completed their loading, thus throwing many more watersiders out of employment. Probably about 300 watersiders are now engaged. Seventeen vessels are idle. The Mo,ana will return to Sydney 1 without discharging her cargo. : The officials of the Watersiders Federation still decline to make any statement. MATTERS ,\T AUCKLAND. [ AUCKLAND, Feb 23. j As an outcome of the waterside dead- • lock, several city firms have given their J carters notice. The curtailment of the ' gas supply began to-day. The depart- . ure of the Navua fo r the Western Paoi- : fio has been postponed till Friday. i